Gum disease is rampant in the United States and can cause major issues to your teeth, gums, bone, and overall health. If you haven’t visited your dentist in awhile it might be time to go. An estimated 80% percent of American adults have some level of gum disease. If left unchecked, gum disease can cause the loss of teeth, leading to additional dental treatments and complications. Gum disease (periodontal disease) can be prevented and managed if corrective measures are taken before it is too late. For any questions about gum disease and how you can prevent it, give us a call at (719) 598-1293.
Causes of Gum Disease
Symptoms of Gum Disease
There are many warning signs that gum disease may be advancing:
- Persistent bad breath
- Swollen gums
- Sore or bleeding gums
- Pain when chewing
- Loosening teeth
- Sensitive teeth
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, check with our Colorado Springs dentist, Dr. Baumgardner, immediately to see if you have an advancing form of gum disease.
Gum and Bone Disease Prevention
The best way to stave off gum disease is with regular maintenance. Good dental hygiene includes the following:
Brushing
You should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Brushing removes the daily buildup of plaque before it turns into tartar.
Flossing &/Or Hydroflossing
Flossing once a day removes the plaque buildup between your teeth, which is usually unreachable with brushing.
Regular Cleanings
The only way to remove a buildup of plaque and tartar is by prophylaxis, the professional cleaning procedure performed at a dentist office. These regular cleanings remove existing buildup so the gums stay healthy or can repair.
Eating a Well-Balanced Diet
Diet plays a big role in our dental health. Foods that are high in sugar create more plaque, which can lead to gum disease.
Quit Tobacco
All tobacco products are poison for your gums. Just add your dental health to the list of reasons to quit using tobacco. We also offer through our cosmetic dentist services, professional teeth whitening which can help reduce the appearance of yellowing teeth.
Treatments for Gum & Bone Issues
If gum disease does advance to a point where serious gum and bone decay is taking place, Briargate Dental Center offers an array of gum and bone treatment options that can help.
Bone Grafting
When the bone has decayed, the teeth are removed and new bone can be grafted in to allow for implants to be used.
Crown Lengthening
This treatment can be used to pare back the gums to expose more of the underlying teeth.
Frenectomy
Surgery to remove the frenum—the fold of skin attaching either the upper lip and gums or the lower lip and tongue—which can become necessary if it interferes feeding in infants and when it interferes with speech or begins pulling the gums away from the teeth in older patients.
Scaling and Root Planing
Sometimes a deep cleaning method called scaling and root planing can remove plaque buildup and reduce the spread of gum disease. In some cases, medication is also used.
Periodontal Plastic Surgery
Many Colorado Springs dental surgeries that involve the gums and bone can be considered plastic surgery. Some are done for cosmetic reasons, others to fix issues causing damage.
This issue occurs when a wisdom tooth is allowed to erupt through the gums into an area it doesn’t fit. The crammed wisdom tooth then causes inflammation of the gums, which has to be treated by antibiotics before the tooth can be removed. To avoid this issue altogether, wisdom teeth are often extracted before pericoronitis is allowed to develop. As a bone and gum dentist in Colorado Springs, we have the ability to treat and help issues with ease.
Superior Colorado Springs Gum & Bone Treatments
Keep brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular cleanings with Briargate Dental Center to avoid the effects of gum disease. If more serious gum and bone issues develop, give us a call right away at (719) 598-1293 to schedule a consultation.